MangoZeen

Phuket City instituted a new computer program desinged to track undesirable foreigners in that tourist town and Immigration officials vowed to utilize these advances to restore confidence in the nation.
“This is a year of investment for Thailand.” The General declared unaware that the global economy is in the shitter. “We need to identify potential trouble-makers […]

For years farang residents in Thailand have dealt with the ever-changing kaleidescope of immigration restrictions; most recently the elimination of the eternal tourist visa border run, however their seemingly anti-farang sentiment is much more liberal than the Celestial Empire to the north, for while China will welcome of horde of big-nosed barbarians for the Summer […]

Jean-Luc flew to Malaysia for a tourist visa. 60 days with one re-entry. The Penang consulate official returned the passport and said, “This is the last time for tourist visa. No more.”

For tourist-visa fans let it be known that Thai consulates and embassies throughout Asia will be demanding for proof of a return ticket before […]

My age is closer to 80 than 20.

In other words over 50 and I don’t care how much people say today’s 50 is yesteryear’s 40. The face in the mirror has little resemblance to that of my youth. Girls at the bar sometimes call me ‘Papa’. 50 is 50.
At least I’m not bald and better […]

Thai immigration offices and especially the Jomtien Branch have been trying to curb the number of long-stay farangs residents without any real raison d’etre for being in Thailand other than having a good time or sanuk.

Gone is the endless merry-go-round of 30-Day tourist visas.
3 and no more.
Nearby Thai embassies or consulates are giving tourist 60-day visas with serious scrutiny. Penang […]

The Thai Immigration office has announced that it will no longer extended visa rights to the spouse of foreigners holding retirement visas. Thai-Visa forum has been deluged by posts complaining about this re-adjustment of the immigration laws without anyone considering the silver lining of the change.

Mainly over-50s can get rid of that scorpion-mouthed harridan they call their […]

Penang in 1991 was a step into the modern world for any traveler leaving Sumatra. Paved roads were a welcome relief after a bone-grinding bus ride from Lake Toba. The streets were lined with sailor bars. Brothels lurked down dark alleys. Slim Chinese girls strolled by in high heels and their hot pants tempted everyone’s eyes. Muslim, Hindu, Westerner. […]

“Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” JFK.
One thing the military junta discovered upon overthrowing the previous government was that the treasury had been plundered to finance the ex-PM’s popularity. To refill the nation’s coffers without alerting the international financial markets that revenue pirates have been […]

Last year the UK Government sold the British Embassy grounds in Bangkok to finance the war in Iraq. All services at that Sukhumvit location have been terminated and the British Embassy (Bangkok) issued the following notice.
Visa Applications: Important Visa Notice
“We regret to inform you that the UK Visa application centre (VFS) will be closed to all […]

Back in 1982 I worked at a Paris nightclub without a carte de travail.
That’s a work permit for those who failed French.
At the time Paris had one color photocopier on which I forged a friend’s permit in my name. A terrible job, however the nightclub owner was satisfied with the documentation. Taxes were deducted from […]